Lodi, California Maternity Photographer | Anna's Studio Maternity Session

Every time I do a maternity session, I am always amazed when I get a questionnaire back that says “You’ll have to help me because I’m not comfortable in front of the camera.” As a mom myself and as someone who is 100% awkward (legit, I suck lol) in front of the camera, I completely get this feeling of just wanting to document this time but really not being sure how you feel about being vulnerable and the focus of an entire session for an hour! But, I always am amazed because let me tell you: my moms ROCK their sessions and I’m talking like one hundred percent of the time.

Before our session, Anna indicated this same thought that she really had never done a session and wasn’t sure how to pose or what to do and I told her, “Don’t you worry. We’ve got this.” Like nearly all of my moms end up being, she was so natural and absolutely killed her session. When I was editing, I thought how you would never know that she was unsure. She absolutely GLOWED. I think too, it’s hard enough being in front of the camera but then, you have this extra bowling ball on the front of your body that you’re adjusting to every day and is growing every day so that makes moms even a little more unsure about how to pose. For me, it is the absolute greatest accomplishment and joy to be able to show each of my mommas that 1. you CAN do this and 2. you are an absolute KNOCKOUT.

My other favorite part about this session was that we included dad into some pieces of the session and he too was so natural. He melded right into the session and did so much without me even really having to direct him. Their love and joy for their new sweet bundle was so obvious and just kind of exploded out of my lens without us even trying.

Studio sessions are also just becoming one of my favorite things for maternity. It focuses so much more on you and your pregnancy and while I will never give up my outdoor maternity sessions (because I really do love those so much too and the backdrop it can give), studio maternity sessions have created a special creative place in my heart. Add some Victoria’s Secret wings and a gorgeous mama belly and we’ve got another Rockabye maternity session in the books!

Rockabye Maternity Sessions

As always, everything is provided for you for your maternity session - gowns, draping, etc. I do it all for you and you just get your rockstar on!

For more details:

http://www.rockabyephoto.com/investment

Lodi, California Newborn Photographer | Liam's Newborn Session

One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to know my clients better. This is one of the most intimate parts of your life when you are the most vulnerable as a mom and letting me into your world to capture this special time is not just a gift that I hope to give to you, but also a gift that you give to me! Liam’s daddy is my husbands co-worker and while I had met their sweet little family before Liam had arrived, I didn’t know them well. A few hours in the studio with a toddler and a newborn will definitely lend us to getting to know each other and I absolutely loved capturing their beautiful family and getting to know their bond and personalities.

Big brother was in no mood for photos and honestly this is 100% normal. All moms hope and pray that their toddler will snuggle up to their new baby but almost always, these things take time! They’re in a new environment, with a stranger (I’m pretty cool and all but still…haha!), and a new sibling that they’re still trying to figure out if they’re a permanent fixture of the family or not! Sometimes, actually almost always, this part of the session is anything but fluid. It can stress moms out but momma took it in stride and both parents held it together so well with patience as we navigated brother and his feelings about the whole situation. I was so impressed with both parents and how patient they were through that process. When this is what goes down, these photos of them together in the end are the most gratifying part of my session. I LOVE being able to win a toddler over…showing them that their feelings are ok and we can work with them to make something beautiful happen for mom and dad.

One of my favorite shots of the entire session is big brother by himself. I was standing on my ladder getting photos of mom and dad and he decided he wanted photos but his way. He walked up to me and just grinned and I had to snap a few shots. It was the sweetest thing and he was letting me know that he was warming up to the whole thing. I just can’t get over that sweet shot.

Sweet baby Liam was an absolute dream and slept through the whole thing - patient with whatever we needed to do during the process! All 4 pieces of this beautiful family were absolute rock stars and it was such an honor getting to capture them and the amazing bond that makes a family. Side note: do these two not make the most gorgeous kids??? Keep ‘em comin’, V Family!

Lodi, California Newborn Photographer | Anthony & Valentina's Twin Newborn Session

I got this beautiful set of twins last month and gosh, how I forget how much I love twin sessions! The most fun part for me is having twins, like these two, of each gender as it pushes me to get creative when creating setups that are neutral but still beautiful for both!

Twins can be tricky keeping them on the same sleep schedule, eating schedule, etc. I don’t know how parents of multiples do it! We got these sweet babes fast asleep and got right to work. With twins, I always work with an assistant so that I can have an extra pair of hands with me. There’s really no better way to do it.

Each baby took turns being exhausted and konked out and while they were never both fully asleep at the same time, they were both so good, they worked with me and we got some seriously beautiful shots for mom and dad.

Lodi, California Newborn Photographer | Vivian's 1st Birthday Session

This beautiful girl was one of my newborns once upon a time and here she is, celebrating her first birthday! It always, ALWAYS amazes me how much they grow and change in just a year but also, how much I still see that tiny little newborn in them. It’s such a fun gift that my clients give me coming back over and over again so I can watch and see them grow!

Sweet Vivian was just so full of personality and as happy as could be at her session. I was so happy that mom wanted to jump into a few photos with her girl, too! Parent shots always add such a sweet element to the session. The best part for me, though, was listening to Dad gush over his girls. I can honestly say, I know all dads are in love, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a dad more in love with his baby. It’s pretty clear that Vivian has him wrapped around that tiny finger and it was just so darn sweet!

She rocked the heck out of her session and LOVED her cake as you can see. I recently got that little party hat and I think it was my favorite little piece to the entire session. She killed it!

Here’s more from our session together!

XOXO